Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Service should make you smile
When you allow a servicer into your home to repair your appliances or televisions, you are probably hoping that the servicer will be nice, won't damage your home, and will do what is required to repair your appliance or television at a fair price.
I think you should expect more.
I believe the service should leave you with a smile on your face, happy that you chose that particular repair technician to take care of your problem. It shouldn't just be a checkmark on a list of to-do items, it should lead you to think "I'm really glad that I called that company for service, it was a great experience."
Some of the things that make me smile are when the technician goes above and beyond regular service, and really shows that he cares about my problems by his actions (not just his words).
At a bare minimum, you want to feel comfortable with the technician in your home.
But wouldn't it be much nicer if you felt like that technician was a welcome guest in your home, somebody that you were happy to have in there?
I think so, and I'm sure you do, too.
What are the little (or BIG) things that a technician or servicer has done that has put a smile on your face? I'd really like to know, because I'd really like our technicians to do those things that put smiles on people's faces.
Feel free to comment, and tell us what a service man can do to make you smile.
I think you should expect more.
I believe the service should leave you with a smile on your face, happy that you chose that particular repair technician to take care of your problem. It shouldn't just be a checkmark on a list of to-do items, it should lead you to think "I'm really glad that I called that company for service, it was a great experience."
Some of the things that make me smile are when the technician goes above and beyond regular service, and really shows that he cares about my problems by his actions (not just his words).
At a bare minimum, you want to feel comfortable with the technician in your home.
But wouldn't it be much nicer if you felt like that technician was a welcome guest in your home, somebody that you were happy to have in there?
I think so, and I'm sure you do, too.
What are the little (or BIG) things that a technician or servicer has done that has put a smile on your face? I'd really like to know, because I'd really like our technicians to do those things that put smiles on people's faces.
Feel free to comment, and tell us what a service man can do to make you smile.
Labels: appliances, servicer, televisions
Friday, July 24, 2009
Top 5 Television Repair Myths
This is an ongoing work, and I'm sure more will be added. This is just based on our experience, we'd love to hear yours:
(As we work out the list, we'll get it ordered and numbered)
*) Replacing the fuse usually fixes a "dead" TV. -- Actually, the fuse is almost never the solution to a television problem. Fuses blow when too much power goes through them, and the most common reason for that to happen is another part within the TV's circuitry passing along the wrong amount of juice. Replacing the fuse will normally just result in more bad fuses.
TIP: If you really must try the fuse, just make sure you get the EXACT fuse replacement. Getting the wrong one can do much, much, much more damage to your TV than doing nothing at all. Whatever you do, DON'T BYPASS THE FUSE. Don't try a trick to get past a bad fuse. You might end up burning your house down and endangering your life and the lives of your family. DON'T!
*) If the TV has no power, it must have a defective power button. -- This one is possible, but very unlikely. Any single part in the power circuit of the television that is bad can cause the TV to have "no power" or appear "dead". Since most people operate the TV with a remote, the chances of a switch going bad are slim to none.
TIP: If the remote AND the power button won't turn on the TV, check the batteries in the remote... but it's the TV, trust me.
*) My picture won't come on, it must need a new panel (i.e. plasma or lcd tv) -- Good news! This is usually not true... and good thing! Plasma and LCD panel replacement is cost prohibitive, and I mean expensive as heck. Fortunately, it's not usually the panel.
TIP: If you see a rainbow colored or white spatter effected series of cracks when the TV is on, it's a busted panel.
*) "It's a lemon" -- It could be, but I doubt it. Just because your television has a failure, doesn't really impune the good name of the manufacturer, that model, or your specific television. It's all about percentages. If a manufacturer makes a million TVs and only half a percent fails, that's 5,000 bad TVs. Seems like a lot when it's your TV, but truthfully that manufacturer is doing pretty darn good. Most likely, your television can be repaired successfully by a qualified, experienced television servicer.
TIP: If you have to repair it more than 3 times within the warranty period, you might be right. The manufacturer will make that decision based on the high cost of repair that they're investing in your TV. Be nice, patient, and they'll take care of you.
*) TV repair companies know which TV's breakdown the most/least -- I've got bad news for you. A servicer can tell you which televisions they don't like working on (due to difficult chassis, schematics, parts availability, etc), but they can't really give you a good idea which TVs break the most or the least. All they see are bad TVs, from every brand imaginable. No manufacturer is perfect. Unfortunately, the numbers are skewed (mostly) by the number of televisions sold by that brand. You sell a lot, you'll (percentage-wise) have more repairs. Does that make the brand inferior? No, it means they sold more.
TIP: Try to stick to brand names you know, get referals from friends. If you've never heard of them making TVs before, be cautious.
(As we work out the list, we'll get it ordered and numbered)
*) Replacing the fuse usually fixes a "dead" TV. -- Actually, the fuse is almost never the solution to a television problem. Fuses blow when too much power goes through them, and the most common reason for that to happen is another part within the TV's circuitry passing along the wrong amount of juice. Replacing the fuse will normally just result in more bad fuses.
TIP: If you really must try the fuse, just make sure you get the EXACT fuse replacement. Getting the wrong one can do much, much, much more damage to your TV than doing nothing at all. Whatever you do, DON'T BYPASS THE FUSE. Don't try a trick to get past a bad fuse. You might end up burning your house down and endangering your life and the lives of your family. DON'T!
*) If the TV has no power, it must have a defective power button. -- This one is possible, but very unlikely. Any single part in the power circuit of the television that is bad can cause the TV to have "no power" or appear "dead". Since most people operate the TV with a remote, the chances of a switch going bad are slim to none.
TIP: If the remote AND the power button won't turn on the TV, check the batteries in the remote... but it's the TV, trust me.
*) My picture won't come on, it must need a new panel (i.e. plasma or lcd tv) -- Good news! This is usually not true... and good thing! Plasma and LCD panel replacement is cost prohibitive, and I mean expensive as heck. Fortunately, it's not usually the panel.
TIP: If you see a rainbow colored or white spatter effected series of cracks when the TV is on, it's a busted panel.
*) "It's a lemon" -- It could be, but I doubt it. Just because your television has a failure, doesn't really impune the good name of the manufacturer, that model, or your specific television. It's all about percentages. If a manufacturer makes a million TVs and only half a percent fails, that's 5,000 bad TVs. Seems like a lot when it's your TV, but truthfully that manufacturer is doing pretty darn good. Most likely, your television can be repaired successfully by a qualified, experienced television servicer.
TIP: If you have to repair it more than 3 times within the warranty period, you might be right. The manufacturer will make that decision based on the high cost of repair that they're investing in your TV. Be nice, patient, and they'll take care of you.
*) TV repair companies know which TV's breakdown the most/least -- I've got bad news for you. A servicer can tell you which televisions they don't like working on (due to difficult chassis, schematics, parts availability, etc), but they can't really give you a good idea which TVs break the most or the least. All they see are bad TVs, from every brand imaginable. No manufacturer is perfect. Unfortunately, the numbers are skewed (mostly) by the number of televisions sold by that brand. You sell a lot, you'll (percentage-wise) have more repairs. Does that make the brand inferior? No, it means they sold more.
TIP: Try to stick to brand names you know, get referals from friends. If you've never heard of them making TVs before, be cautious.
Labels: repairs, servicer, televisions, TV
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Soap on your clothes after wash?
There are a number of possible reasons you might have soap still on your clothes after a complete washing machine cycle. The good news is, they're not all caused by a fault in the machine.
Here are the top reasons you've still got soap on your clothes (that aren't actual problems with the machine itself):
1. Using too much detergent: There's only so much detergent that will dissolve and be effectively used in a given amount of water. There should be instructions with the detergent that explain how much to use, and you might need to use less if you have very soft water.
2. Water is too cold to dissolve detergent: Powdered laundry detergents are made to dissolve at water temperatures above 60°F. Colder than that they're just not going to work well, and you'll need to resort to liquid detergent.
3. Slow cycle (delicate, handwash, gentle) used: Powdered detergents may not do well in a low-energy wash cycle, as they may not dissolve completely. Once again, liquid detergents will clear that up nicely.
4. Too much clothes in the washer!: Fill up the tub, fine. But if you have to push it in to close the door, it's too tightly packed. Clothes need to tumble around in the washer for effective cleaning, and they need space to tumble. When they get wet, they'll create a little space as they compact, but don't use that to fit in yet another towel. Loosely full is about right, otherwise your detergents might not dissolve all way. Remember, the gentler the wash cycle, the less you should cram in.
5. Old, crusty detergent: Just like in your dishwasher, fresh detergent works best. You want a dry space to keep them in, with the lid shut (if powdered). Don't buy so much in bulk that you're still using the same box 6 months from now or more, it just won't work as well as fresh detergent. When it's become a solid rock of detergent block, throw it out.
Of course, there could be something really wrong with your washing machine. If these don't help, call your local servicer for help. In Alabama, call Service Care and we'll take care of you.
Here are the top reasons you've still got soap on your clothes (that aren't actual problems with the machine itself):
1. Using too much detergent: There's only so much detergent that will dissolve and be effectively used in a given amount of water. There should be instructions with the detergent that explain how much to use, and you might need to use less if you have very soft water.
2. Water is too cold to dissolve detergent: Powdered laundry detergents are made to dissolve at water temperatures above 60°F. Colder than that they're just not going to work well, and you'll need to resort to liquid detergent.
3. Slow cycle (delicate, handwash, gentle) used: Powdered detergents may not do well in a low-energy wash cycle, as they may not dissolve completely. Once again, liquid detergents will clear that up nicely.
4. Too much clothes in the washer!: Fill up the tub, fine. But if you have to push it in to close the door, it's too tightly packed. Clothes need to tumble around in the washer for effective cleaning, and they need space to tumble. When they get wet, they'll create a little space as they compact, but don't use that to fit in yet another towel. Loosely full is about right, otherwise your detergents might not dissolve all way. Remember, the gentler the wash cycle, the less you should cram in.
5. Old, crusty detergent: Just like in your dishwasher, fresh detergent works best. You want a dry space to keep them in, with the lid shut (if powdered). Don't buy so much in bulk that you're still using the same box 6 months from now or more, it just won't work as well as fresh detergent. When it's become a solid rock of detergent block, throw it out.
Of course, there could be something really wrong with your washing machine. If these don't help, call your local servicer for help. In Alabama, call Service Care and we'll take care of you.
Labels: servicer, washers, washing machines
Washing machine "walks" during spin?
Is your washing machine walking, vibrating a lot, doing the shimmy-shammy?
If it's on a pedestal, you can check to make sure the pedestal feet are all touching the ground and locked in place, and you can't rock the unit back and forth with your hands. There should be connecting bolts locking the washer to the pedestal, make sure they are tightened.
If it's not on a pedestal, check the feet on the washer. Got all four? Good. Try to rock the unit with your hands. It should be level, no rocking. If not, you've got a problem with the feet. They should all be in contact with the floor and locked into place.
Next, make sure your shipping bolts were removed when the washer was installed. 99 percent of the time, the installer gets this right, but if not it can make the washer get crazy on you, make a lot of noise and movement, and quite possibly cause damage. Unfortunately, if the shipping bolts (all or some of four, usually, in a square shaped configuration - 1 near each of the four corners and around the drum) are still in the back, you should probably call a local servicer to remove them. It's up to you, but there might be more wrong with it if it's been run a while with shipping bolts in.
If it's not the bolts, it might be your floor.
Quick test, and you might want to be alone when you do this (because of the silly factor), stand next to the washer and bounce on your toes. You can get your arms involved if you really want to test your floor. If you hear glasses clanging together in the kitchen cabinets, it's definitely your floor. If your washer shakes a bit in response to your bouncing, your floor might have a bit more "flex" than some other floors. Don't feel bad, you're in a big group of normal-floor people with this kind of floor.
Try getting a solid single piece of 3/4 inch plywood that is big enough for both the washer and dryer to sit on (feet and all) with room for the hoses and cords. Get some help, and slide the board under the two appliances (or lift them out of the way, and put it on the floor). This should act as a stiffer surface for the washer, some of which spin at very, very high speeds nowadays to get the water out.
Yes, they spin much faster than your old washer did (that's why the dryer normally works a lot faster, less water in the clothes to dry out).
If you've not got shipping bolts and your floor is solid and secure, then it's time to call a servicer for your appliance.
We'd be happy to help if you're in central Alabama.
If it's on a pedestal, you can check to make sure the pedestal feet are all touching the ground and locked in place, and you can't rock the unit back and forth with your hands. There should be connecting bolts locking the washer to the pedestal, make sure they are tightened.
If it's not on a pedestal, check the feet on the washer. Got all four? Good. Try to rock the unit with your hands. It should be level, no rocking. If not, you've got a problem with the feet. They should all be in contact with the floor and locked into place.
Next, make sure your shipping bolts were removed when the washer was installed. 99 percent of the time, the installer gets this right, but if not it can make the washer get crazy on you, make a lot of noise and movement, and quite possibly cause damage. Unfortunately, if the shipping bolts (all or some of four, usually, in a square shaped configuration - 1 near each of the four corners and around the drum) are still in the back, you should probably call a local servicer to remove them. It's up to you, but there might be more wrong with it if it's been run a while with shipping bolts in.
If it's not the bolts, it might be your floor.
Quick test, and you might want to be alone when you do this (because of the silly factor), stand next to the washer and bounce on your toes. You can get your arms involved if you really want to test your floor. If you hear glasses clanging together in the kitchen cabinets, it's definitely your floor. If your washer shakes a bit in response to your bouncing, your floor might have a bit more "flex" than some other floors. Don't feel bad, you're in a big group of normal-floor people with this kind of floor.
Try getting a solid single piece of 3/4 inch plywood that is big enough for both the washer and dryer to sit on (feet and all) with room for the hoses and cords. Get some help, and slide the board under the two appliances (or lift them out of the way, and put it on the floor). This should act as a stiffer surface for the washer, some of which spin at very, very high speeds nowadays to get the water out.
Yes, they spin much faster than your old washer did (that's why the dryer normally works a lot faster, less water in the clothes to dry out).
If you've not got shipping bolts and your floor is solid and secure, then it's time to call a servicer for your appliance.
We'd be happy to help if you're in central Alabama.
Labels: Alabama, diy, servicer, washers, washing machines
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